Pittsburg, Indy exchange four-hitters in split

The Pittsburg Junior Legion featuring both Pittsburg and Colgan players and the Independence Coyotes, a subsidiary of the Independence High Bulldogs, split a doubleheader Wednesday night at JayCee Ballpark. Pittsburg used a balanced attack for a 7-5 win in the first game and Independence pitcher Dalton...

The Pittsburg Junior Legion featuring both Pittsburg and Colgan players and the Independence Coyotes, a subsidiary of the Independence High Bulldogs, split a doubleheader Wednesday night at JayCee Ballpark.

Pittsburg used a balanced attack for a 7-5 win in the first game and Independence pitcher Dalton Coda tossed a four-hit shutout in a 6-0 nightcap.

Dante Richardson earned the win for Pittsburg, allowing five runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings. At the plate, Richardson went 1-for-2 with a double, a sacrifice fly, two runs scored and three RBI — his two-run double in the third helped spark the crucial game-tying four-run rally and the pressure he applied on Independence pitcher Courtlan Hayes in the fifth distracted Hayes and Pittsburg gained a 7-5 lead. He stole a base and forced a Hayes balk.

Kyle Smith collected three singles, as he sprayed the ball to right, center and left in his three at-bats. Ryan McNeely atoned for two fielding errors with two RBI, including the game-winning single in the fifth.

Independence scored all five of its runs and collected three of its four hits in the third against Richardson. Chris Jones and Norberto Carrillo each pocketed two-run singles during an inning featuring the speedy Hayes leading off and reaching on a dropped third strike.

Nate Brown came on for Richardson the final 1 1/3 to earn the save.

In the nightcap, Independence took control right from its first turn at-bat and never relinquished control.

The Coyotes scored four in the first on just one hit and two Pittsburg errors.

That was the story of the second game — Independence feasting on Pittsburg sloppy mistakes. In fact, only Kyle Rinck collected a RBI.

Meanwhile, Coda was on cruise on the mound and he struck out eight Pittsburg batters over five innings, at least two in three frames. Pittsburg left six runners behind, two apiece in the second, fourth and fifth, and just could not come through with that game-changing hit against Coda.